Williams, Town Partner to Build Solar Array on Capped Landfill

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College and the town of Williamstown have signed an agreement that moves forward a previously stalled solar energy project that will provide low-cost, renewable energy to town facilities, the fire district and the regional school district.

The project aligns with the college’s climate change response plan goals to support local and regional renewable energy projects.

Under the terms of the agreement, Williams will invest approximately $6 million to complete construction of a 1.9-megawatt solar array on the capped town landfill on Simonds Road. The town began the project in 2014 with a commercial developer but after initial designs and studies were completed, the need for major infrastructure upgrades rendered the project economically unfeasible for the developer. After speaking with Williamstown Town Manager Jason Hoch, the college began exploring ways to assist the town. As a result of Williams' lower return requirements and commitment to local renewable energy, the college was in a position to get the project back on track.

"We had reached a point where the installation as originally planned was no longer financially viable and faced the difficult prospect of abandoning the project altogether," Hoch said. "Williams’ interest came at precisely the right time to allow us to proceed with this important solar facility that will benefit all of Williamstown."

Williams will provide the initial $6 million investment to construct the project.  The college is seeking a tax equity partner that would co-own the solar array and provide $2 million toward the project during the final stages of construction.  

Williams College Lone Suitor for Development of Water Street Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
11:15AM / Thursday, April 16, 2026

Williams College hopes to replace the current Facilities Services building on Latham Street and use that space for a new  athletics complex. 

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — If the town accepts an offer from Williams College, a 1.27-acre lot that long has been eyed as a possible venue for housing and economic development instead will find a use similar to its history.

 

The college was the lone respondent to the town's request for proposals to purchase and develop 59 Water St., a dirt lot known around town as the "old town garage site." This was first reported Wednesday by Greylock News. 

 

If successful, the college plans to use the former town garage property for the school's Facilities Services building. Or it could be turned back into a parking lot.

 

Williams' offer includes a $500,000 upfront payment and a 10-year agreement to make $50,000 annual donations to the Mount Greylock Regional School District according to the proposal unsealed on Wednesday afternoon.

 

If it closes the deal, the college said it will explore development of a three- to four-story Facilities Services building with "a structured parking facility providing approximately 170 spaces."

 

"[I]f site constraints impact our ability to develop both structured parking and the Facilities Services building, our backup proposal is to develop the parking structure with approximately 170 spaces, also with capacity to support institutional and public needs," the college's proposal reads.

 

The college's current Facilities property at 60 Latham St. has an assessed value — for the .42-acre lot only — of $113,000 and an annual property tax bill of $1,606, according to the town's website.